Game apparatus.



N0. 675,456. Patented Juno 4, I90I. G. T. VOOBHEES.

GAME APPARATUS.

(Application fllod Oct. 3, 1900.)

(No Model.)

UNTTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GARDNER T. VOORHEES, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAiVI E APPARATUS.

SPECIFECATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 675,456, dated June 4, 1901. Application filed October 3, 1900. Serial No. 31,820. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARDNER T. VOOR- HEES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of my new game apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the finger-piece and therewith-interlocking link mechanism removed from the apparatus for greater clearness.

The particular object of myinvention is to produce an apparatus adapted for playing what may be called parlorgolf. My apparatus may be used for playing other games, if so desired.

In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to me of applying that principle, 1 is the standard, and 2 the play-stick, which may be a golf-stick, croquet-mallet, bat, or any other device for advancing a ball or other object from one position to another in the playing of a game. Stick 2 is movably mounted on the vertical or approximately vertical standard 1 in any desired manneras, for example, by being clamped or otherwise mounted upon the horizontal rotary stick-carrier 3, which is journaled in the upper part of the standard. Carrier 3 is in the present form of my apparatus provided with a fixed bracket 4, having an arm 5, to which a link 6 is loosely mounted. Link 6 extends from an arm 5 downwardly toward the base of the standard and is in the present embodiment of my invention jointed at 7 to a lock-forming member 8, which is in substance an extension of the link 6. Member 8 has a lateral stud 9, which is movable through the L-slot in the upper hollow end portion of the endwise-reciprocating finger-piece 10, loosely mounted in guide 11, which projects laterally from standard 1. The upper portion of fingerpiece 10 is made hollow or tubular, and the vertical portion of the slot referred to is marked 12 and is formed in a wall of said tubular portion. The purpose of the joint at 7 is to permit free movement of link 6 when it is pulled down. lVhen the stud 9 is in the horizontal portion 18 of the L-slot, the memher 8 and finger-piece 10 are locked together, and downward movement of finger-piece 10 pulls on arm 5 and rocks the stick-carrier 3, lifting or moving the stick into elevated or playing position. Arm 5 of the bracket 4 forms the upper arm of the bracket when the free end of the stick is toward the ground or door. By turning finger-piece 10 laterally the upper wall of the groove portion 13 is carried off stud 9, which is therebybrought into line with the vertical portion 12 of the L- slot. Arm 14 of bracket 4 is loaded, say, by a weight or spring, in this instance by a spring 15, which extends from arm 14 to guide 11. The purpose of loading-arm 14: is to bring the stick 2 to the desired striking position under such tension of the spring that the stick will when released strike a blow Slll'llOlBIlt to advance the play-ball or other object from one position to another. The path of the clubhead when the head is moved is in a circle at an angle to the ground or floor, and, if desired, the base of the standard may be slanted more or less in relation to the vertical portion of the standard, so that the path of the club-head will be in a circle more or less inclined to the ground, as may be desired.

Preferably stick 2 is detachably connected with the carrier 3 in order that different kinds of golf or other play sticks may be mounted on the carrier. To this end the carrier 3 is provided with an annular socket-piece 16, in which the play-stick is mounted and wherein it is conveniently clamped by means of the set-screw 17.

It will be apparent to all mechanics that my new apparatus may be constructed in many different forms, and I wish to be understood as claiming my invention in the broadest manner legally permissible.

If desired, the finger-piece 10 and the therewith-connected link members 8 and 6 maybe dispensed with and the apparatus be manipulated, say, by using the arm 5 as a crank. If desired, the detachable interlocking of member 8 with the finger-piece may be dispensed with; but I prefer to make the apparatus so that after the stick is lifted the desired height from the ground or floor for posite ends of said yoke, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a substantially vertical standard an arm journaled therein, a play-stick connected to said arm, a yoke secured to the opposite end of said arm, an arm projecting from said standard, and provided with a guideway, a spring connecting said arm and one end of said yoke, and an operating-rod passing through said guideway and connected to the opposite end of said yoke, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a substantially vertical standard an arm journaled therein, a play-stick connected to said arm, a yoke secured to the opposite end of said arm, an arm projecting from said standard, and provided with a guideway, a spring connecting said arm and one end of said yoke, an operating-rod passing through said guideway and connected to the opposite end of said yoke, and a finger-piece integral with the lower end of said rod, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GARDNER T. VOORHEES.

Witnesses:

E. A. ALLEN, EDWARD HENESEY. 

